Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 72

Meaning

On hearing of Atikāya having been killed by the high-souled Lakṣmaṇa, the king of Laṅkā gave way to anxiety and spoke as follows: (1)

Meaning

“Dhūmrākṣa, who was supremely intolerant, as well as Akampana, the foremost of all those skilled in the use of arms, as also Prahasta and, even so, Kumbhakarṇa—these gallant ogres, the conquerors of hostile forces, were endowed with extraordinary might, nay, longed for combat and remained ever unconquered by their enemies. (2-3)

Meaning

The aforesaid valiant ogres of tremendous proportions, who were well-versed in the use of all weapons, have been killed with their battalions by Rāma of unwearied action. (4)

Meaning

Many other heroes of gigantic proportions have also been struck down. The aforesaid two brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, were bound the other day with formidable arrows, on which boons of infallibility had been conferred by Brahmā, by my eldest son, Indrajit, whose strength and prowess are widely known. That formidable bond of theirs, which could not be undone by all the gods or even by demons endowed with extraordinary might nor even by Yakṣas (a class of demigods), Gandharvas (celestial musicians) and Nāgas (a class of semi-divine beings having the face of a man and the tail of a serpent) became free by virtue of their superhuman powers or some conjuring trick or magical charm, which I do not know. (5—7)

Meaning

The aforesaid two brothers, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, got liberated anyhow from the network of arrows. Nay, all the gallant ogre warriors who sallied forth at my command were killed in combat by the monkeys, who are endowed with exceptional might. “I do not see the warrior who should be able to make short work in combat today of the heroic Rāma with Lakṣmaṇa and his army as well as Vibhīṣaṇa accompanied by Sugrīva. Oh, really great is the power of Rāma’s missiles and exceptionally mighty is Rāma, on reaching the range of whose prowess the ogres have met their death. I recognize that heroic scion of Raghu to be no other than Lord Nārāyaṇa, who is proof against all ailment. Indeed, it is through fear of him that Laṅkā has its doors and outer gates ever closed. Nay, let this city of Laṅkā for its part, and especially the Aśoka grove, where Sītā is being guarded on all sides, be defended alongwith its garrisons by you, who have survived destruction, remaining vigilant all the time. Every exit from and entry into the city and the grove must be definitely known by us at all times. (8—13)

Meaning

“Wherever there is a garrison, exit and entry should be checked again and again. Surrounded by your respective troops, remain posted on all sides. (14)

Meaning

“Nay, the movements of the aforesaid monkeys should be watched by you, O prowlers of the night, in every way, whether there is dusk or midnight or even sunrise. (15)

Meaning

“No indifference should be shown to the monkeys at any time. It should be constantly observed whether the hostile army is zealously active, is advancing towards Laṅkā or stands where it was.” (16)

Meaning

Hearing the aforesaid command of Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of Laṅkā, all those ogres for their part, who were endowed with extraordinary might, duly carried it out forthwith in its entirety. (17)

Meaning

Having duly enjoined them all as aforesaid, Rāvaṇa, the suzerain lord of ogres, actually penetrated deep into his palace, carrying the thorn of wrath in his bosom, miserable as he was. (18)

Meaning

The fire of wrath having been inflamed in him, that suzerain lord of ogres, who was endowed with extraordinary might, then remained brooding on the self same fall of his son, Atikāya, and also sighing again and again at that time. (19)